Catholic Priests Warn Of 'Satanic Cult' Circulating Distorted Portraits Of Mother Mary In Homes

Catholic priests have warned church members about a 'satanic cult' that is entering homes in the form of distorted portraits of Mother Mary.

The warning was issued by Father Ashlyn Chand, a priest at St Michael's Church, Mahim, who also heads the healing and deliverance ministry of the Archdiocese of Bombay, which has around 500,000 members. Chand's message has been picked up by priests from other parts of the country who have asked church members to dispose of portraits where Satan, in the form of a snake, has been surreptitiously inserted into portraits of Mother Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, and a revered figure in Christianity, especially in the Roman Catholic sect.

The portrait is found in most Catholic homes: The Immaculate Heart of Mother Mary. The image shows Mary pointing the index finger of her right hand to her heart. The 'satanic' reproduction of the image shows her right first curled into the shape of a serpent's head, the symbol of the devil. The source of the distorted photograph remains a mystery, like the cult that is reportedly pushing the portrait in Catholic homes and institutions. 

Chand declined to talk on the issue, saying that it needed a detailed explanation. He added that he was away to conduct a retreat, a spiritual meeting, for church members. Father Nigel Barrett, the parish priest of St. Andrew's Church, Bandra, and the spokesperson for Archbishop John Rodrigues of Bombay, said he has seen videos on social media of priests delivering the message. "The Church, as of now, does not have any official position. We will review the facts and will then be in a position to issue a statement," said Barrett.

According to Christian beliefs, Mother Mary, who is completely free of sin, has been granted by her son the power to resist the devil. The belief is part of the Christian idea of the Immaculate Conception, the birth of the son of God through Mary. A video of a priest, apparently in Goa, warning church members about the cult is doing the rounds in the Catholic community. The priest talks about Father Ashlyn's visit to warn members about the intrusion of the 'cult' into homes. People are inadvertently buying the distorted images, sometimes even from religious organisations, the priest says.

Many church members said they were unaware of the distorted portraits. A member of St Michael's Church, Mahim, said she has not heard of any priests warning churchgoers about the satanic portrait. A member of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Borivali said he was unaware of the controversy. David Vaz, media consultant, said, "Father Ashlyn has brought out an issue that lay people did not know about. He has been educating church members about this during his retreats." 

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Father Joseph D'Souza, parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Kalbadevi, said there are members of so-called spiritual renewal groups who talk on these issues. "What I am saying is, why get into these controversies. As such, there are a lot of things happening in the name of religion," said D'Souza. However, one churchgoer commented on social media: "This I have been telling many people, in fact many have got this in their homes, in office, one I have seen at Holy Family Hospital outside the Operation Theatre on the wall..long back, if removed it's a blessing. Very sad. Thanks to Father Ashlyn Chand for opening this."

The priest in the video warns that the cult, which remains unnamed, is attacking the faith in Mother Mary. "Our Lady is trying to bring you the blessings of Jesus. The devotion is so powerful that Satan is attacking it. Are you putting the cult in your homes?" the priest asks, adding that problems at home could be because of the distorted portrait.